Focaccia, a traditional Italian flatbread, is known for its soft and airy texture, often topped with olive oil, herbs, and sea salt. While classic versions of focaccia are savory, the Prosciutto Plum Focaccia takes a unique and elegant turn by combining the saltiness of prosciutto with the sweetness of fresh plums. This delightful recipe by Chef John creates a visually stunning and palate-pleasing dish that’s perfect for any occasion, from casual family meals to more sophisticated gatherings. Let’s dive deeper into the details of this beautiful recipe.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
- Yeast and Water: The foundation of any bread, yeast helps the dough rise and gives it a light, fluffy texture. In this recipe, warm water activates the yeast, allowing it to ferment and give the focaccia its signature airy crumb.
- All-Purpose Flour: This versatile flour provides the structure for the focaccia. The gluten in the flour helps create elasticity in the dough, giving the bread its chewy texture.
- Sugar and Salt: A small amount of sugar helps to feed the yeast, promoting fermentation, while salt balances the sweetness of the plums and enhances the overall flavor of the focaccia.
- Olive Oil: Extra-virgin olive oil is a key player in the flavor profile of this focaccia. It’s used in the dough, for proofing, and drizzled on top before baking, adding a rich, fruity undertone to the bread.
- Fresh Plums: The star ingredient, plums bring a subtle sweetness and tartness to the focaccia, complementing the salty prosciutto. When baked, they become soft and jammy, adding a burst of flavor to each bite.
- Prosciutto: This dry-cured Italian ham adds a savory, salty contrast to the sweetness of the plums. Wrapping the plum sections in prosciutto before baking creates a delightful balance of flavors.
- Rosemary and Sea Salt: Fresh rosemary leaves add an aromatic, earthy flavor, while a sprinkling of sea salt enhances the overall taste and gives the focaccia a satisfying crunch.
Step-by-Step Process
1. Making the Dough
The process begins with stirring yeast and warm water together and allowing the mixture to sit for about 15 minutes. This step is crucial as it activates the yeast, which will give the dough its rise. Once the yeast is ready, sugar, flour, olive oil, and salt are added, and everything is mixed until a sticky dough forms. This dough might seem softer than most bread doughs, but that’s exactly what gives focaccia its characteristic soft, pillowy texture.
Once the dough has formed, it’s shaped into a ball and coated with olive oil, which not only adds flavor but also prevents it from drying out as it rests in the fridge overnight. This overnight fermentation process deepens the flavor of the dough, allowing the yeast to work slowly, creating a more complex taste and texture.
2. Proofing and Shaping
After the dough has rested overnight, it’s brought back to room temperature and allowed to rise until doubled in size. This second rise ensures that the focaccia will have a light and airy texture.
Once risen, the dough is pressed out into a large rectangle, folded several times to build layers, and transferred to an oiled sheet pan. It’s then left to proof again until it spreads out and bubbles form on the surface – a key sign that the dough is ready for baking.
3. Preparing the Prosciutto-Wrapped Plums
While the dough is proofing, plum sections are wrapped with slices of prosciutto and refrigerated until needed. The prosciutto helps to hold the plum slices together and infuses them with a savory richness as they bake. The contrast between the juicy plums and the salty prosciutto is one of the highlights of this dish.
4. Assembly and Baking
Before baking, the dough is sprinkled with fresh rosemary and the prosciutto-wrapped plums are pressed deep into the surface of the dough in a 3×4 pattern. This not only ensures that each slice of focaccia will have a perfect balance of sweet and savory, but it also makes for a visually stunning presentation.
A drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt finish the focaccia, enhancing both flavor and texture. The focaccia is then baked in a hot oven (475°F) until the dough is golden brown and the plums have caramelized slightly.
Why This Recipe Stands Out
1. The Art of Sweet and Savory Fusion
The combination of sweet and savory ingredients is a culinary technique that’s been gaining popularity for its ability to excite the palate. The Prosciutto Plum Focaccia exemplifies this perfectly. On one hand, you have the sweet, slightly tart juiciness of the plums, and on the other, the saltiness of the prosciutto. These flavors may seem contrasting, but they complement each other beautifully, creating a balance that is both intriguing and satisfying. This marriage of flavors offers an elevated experience compared to traditional focaccia, which typically leans towards simpler, herb-based toppings.
2. Aesthetics and Presentation
One of the most appealing aspects of the Prosciutto Plum Focaccia is its visual presentation. The deep purple hue of the baked plums against the golden-brown focaccia, accented by the pink and crispy prosciutto, makes for a striking dish that immediately draws attention. In the world of food, presentation is just as important as taste, and this focaccia delivers on both fronts. Whether you’re serving this bread at a dinner party or posting it on social media, its appearance will leave a lasting impression. It’s more than just a bread—it’s a centerpiece.
3. Textural Contrast
Beyond the flavors, this focaccia also offers a wonderful contrast in textures. The bread itself is soft and airy, thanks to the yeast fermentation and slow rise. This is balanced by the slight chewiness of the prosciutto and the tender, almost jam-like consistency of the baked plums. A sprinkle of sea salt adds a crunchy finishing touch, creating a perfect harmony of textures that engage your senses in every bite.
Health Benefits and Nutritional Value
While focaccia is generally considered a treat, the Prosciutto Plum Focaccia offers several nutritional benefits that make it more than just an indulgence.
1. Plums: A Nutritional Powerhouse
Plums are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, especially Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and dietary fiber. Vitamin C boosts the immune system and helps the body repair tissues, while Vitamin K plays a vital role in bone health and blood clotting. Plums are also rich in antioxidants, particularly polyphenols, which help reduce inflammation and protect the body against chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer. The fiber content in plums aids digestion and promotes gut health, making this ingredient both delicious and nutritious.
2. Prosciutto: High-Quality Protein
While prosciutto is known for its savory flavor, it also provides a good source of high-quality protein. Protein is essential for muscle repair, immune function, and overall health. Although prosciutto is a cured meat, it’s lower in fat compared to other types of cured meats like bacon or salami. When consumed in moderation, prosciutto adds depth to the dish without overwhelming it with unhealthy fats.
3. Olive Oil: Heart-Healthy Fats
Extra-virgin olive oil, a staple of Mediterranean cuisine, is one of the healthiest fats you can include in your diet. Rich in monounsaturated fats, olive oil has been shown to reduce inflammation, improve heart health, and even lower the risk of stroke. In this recipe, olive oil is not only used in the dough but also drizzled on top before baking, ensuring that you get the full flavor and health benefits.
The Benefits of Slow Fermentation
The process of letting the dough rest overnight in the refrigerator is a crucial step that offers several advantages. This slow fermentation not only enhances the flavor of the focaccia by allowing the yeast to develop complex flavors, but it also improves the bread’s digestibility. During the long fermentation process, the yeast breaks down some of the gluten in the flour, making the bread easier to digest. Additionally, the slow rise helps create a light, airy texture in the final product, making the focaccia soft yet chewy—ideal for holding the toppings in place.
A Gourmet Experience with Minimal Effort
What makes this recipe even more appealing is that, despite its gourmet result, it doesn’t require a high level of technical skill. The dough itself is straightforward, and Chef John’s method involves minimal kneading, making it accessible to home bakers of all levels. The prosciutto and plums are easy to prepare, and the assembly process is quick and simple. The result, however, looks and tastes like something you’d find in an upscale Italian bakery.
This recipe offers a way for home cooks to create a restaurant-quality dish without needing specialized tools or ingredients. All the components—plums, prosciutto, olive oil, rosemary—are readily available in most grocery stores, making it an easy recipe to recreate in your own kitchen.
Versatility and Creative Freedom
While this recipe is excellent as written, it also lends itself to creative modifications. For instance:
- Swap out the plums: If plums aren’t in season or available, you could easily substitute other stone fruits like apricots or peaches, which have similar textures and flavor profiles.
- Try different herbs: While rosemary is the herb of choice in this recipe, you could experiment with thyme, oregano, or even sage to see how they change the flavor dynamics.
- Add cheese: For those who want a little more indulgence, a sprinkle of soft cheese like goat cheese or ricotta could add an extra layer of creaminess and richness.
- Change the meat: If prosciutto isn’t your preference, thin slices of speck or pancetta can serve as excellent alternatives, each bringing their own unique flavors to the dish.
A Dish for All Occasions
One of the reasons the Prosciutto Plum Focaccia shines is its adaptability to different occasions. Whether you’re serving it as part of an elegant dinner or as a simple afternoon snack, this dish has a way of fitting in. It’s light enough to be served as an appetizer but substantial enough to stand on its own as a meal alongside a fresh salad.
For special gatherings, this focaccia can be a conversation starter, thanks to its unusual yet delightful combination of flavors. On the other hand, its preparation is straightforward enough that you can make it on a lazy Sunday for no reason at all, just to enjoy something special.
Conclusion:
If you’re looking to elevate your focaccia game, Chef John’s Prosciutto Plum Focaccia is the perfect recipe to try. With its sweet, savory, and aromatic flavors, it’s a versatile dish that works well as an appetizer, side, or even a main course. The use of fresh plums and prosciutto gives it a gourmet twist, while the simplicity of the ingredients ensures that it remains accessible and easy to make. Whether you’re an experienced baker or new to the world of focaccia, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen. Give it a try, and enjoy the delightful combination of flavors in every bite!